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BELMONT REPORT MAY 22, 2009 by James Scully The field for the 141st running of the Belmont S. (G1) is beginning to take shape, and there doesn't appear to be much speed among the possible starters. As of Wednesday, the 11 potential runners are RACHEL ALEXANDRA (Medaglia d'Oro), MINE THAT BIRD (Birdstone), CHARITABLE MAN (Lemon Drop Kid), CHOCOLATE CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]), DUNKIRK (Unbridled's Song), FLYING PRIVATE (Fusaichi Pegasus), SUMMER BIRD (Birdstone), MR. HOT STUFF (Tiznow), MINER'S ESCAPE (Mineshaft), BRAVE VICTORY (Lion Heart) and LUV GOV (Ten Most Wanted). Rachel Alexandra will bring speed to the mix if she enters, and Charitable Man is probably the only member of the field capable of running with her early. The Virginia-bred colt will enter the 1 1/2-mile event in strong form, capturing the May 9 Peter Pan S. (G2) by 3 3/4 lengths, and loves the 1 1/2-mile oval known affectionately as "Big Sandy," impressively garnering the Futurity S. (G2) last September. Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird boast the top credentials (Charitable Man shows a career-best 103 BRIS Speed rating while Rachel Alexandra and Mine That Bird have each posted at least a 110 figure), but their recent exploits could leave them vulnerable against a talented up-and-comer like Charitable Man, who has the breeding to handle the 12-furlong trip -- sire Lemon Drop Kid captured the 1999 Belmont -- as well as strong connections. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin won the 2006 Belmont with Jazil. Kentucky Derby (G1) runners Dunkirk, Chocolate Candy, Summer Bird and Mr. Hot Stuff will enter the Belmont off a five-week freshening. Dunkirk was the 5-1 second choice at Churchill Downs, but he never got uncorked after stumbling at the start and being forced to steady multiple times approaching the clubhouse turn, eventually finishing 11th. The gray colt displayed a world of talent earlier this year at Gulfstream, recording two sharp victories prior to an impressive second in the Florida Derby (G1), and trainer Todd Pletcher, who is winless in the Derby and Preakness (G1), does own a victory in the "Test of Champions," saddling the filly Rags to Riches to an historic victory over Curlin in the 2007 edition. Dunkirk is a serious bounce-back candidate at Belmont Park, but his late running style is a potential drawback. That's also a concern for Chocolate Candy. The Jerry Hollendorfer pupil offered a solid run for fifth on Derby Day, and he showed a lot of class on synthetic tracks earlier this year, winning a Grade 3 and finishing second in the Santa Anita Derby (G1). Summer Bird and Mr. Hot Stuff are two more closers. Flying Private rebounded from his last-place finish in the Derby with a career-best fourth in the Preakness, but I have to wonder how much the D. Wayne Lukas trainee has left in the tank following two grueling performances. The remaining runners -- Miner's Escape, Brave Victory and Luv Gov -- will all have major class concerns in the final leg of the Triple Crown. Rachel's Place -- Is Rachel Alexandra the best distaffer of modern times? Is she even the best filly or mare in training? Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (G1) winner and champion mare ZENYATTA (Street Cry [Ire]), who is unbeaten in nine career starts so far, has her supporters. No filly has ever won two legs of the Triple Crown, and only two fillies (Winning Colors and Genuine Risk) have even attempted a double in the last 75 years. Rachel Alexandra is in excellent company right now, but one can argue that her legacy remains at stake. Her connections have one question to answer in that regard: Do they want her to be like Rags to Riches, Winning Colors and Genuine Risk, or do they give her the opportunity to become the most accomplished filly in Triple Crown history? Jess Jackson faces a tough choice, and he'll be vilified if he enters the filly and she loses. There's a chorus of fear from turf writers -- they're scared something bad will happen and don't want to see her run. But the same people are portraying her as if she's simply a top-class filly, not something extraordinary. In my opinion, Rachel Alexandra is a special horse capable of amazing feats. And that's a common trait among the great ones. Jockey History -- No active rider in Thoroughbred racing can claim at least one victory in all three Triple Crown races, but a couple of jockeys will be looking to join the exclusive club in 2009. They used to be commonly found at major tracks -- Jerry Bailey, Steve Cauthen, Angel Cordero, Jean Cruget, Pat Day, Eddie Delahoussaye, Chris McCarron, Gary Stevens and Ron Turcotte all did it within the last 40 years -- but Jose Santos left a void when he retired a few years back. Calvin Borel, who is going for his own personal Triple Crown this year, is well-positioned to reach the milestone with either Rachel Alexandra or Mine That Bird. Derby and Preakness winner Kent Desormeaux, who came up short with Big Brown last year, also figures to secure a mount on June 6. Mike Smith needs only a Belmont victory to elevate his status in the history books, but he gave up a viable opportunity aboard Mine That Bird in order to pursue a turf race in California on June 6. Victor Espinoza, Stewart Elliott and Jeremy Rose are the other current jockeys with victories in two legs of the Triple Crown.
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